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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2012

Governor Quinn Announces New Jobs From Opening of North Bay Produce, Inc. Warehouse in Illinois Global Distribution Company Chooses Illinois for Expansion; Will Create Approximately 90 Jobs

MASCOUTAH, Ill. – June 14, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today joined executives from North Bay Produce, Inc. in opening the international company’s new refrigerated warehouse at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah. As part of Governor Quinn’s commitment to boosting Illinois’ economy, the company announced it will create 10-15 permanent and 80 seasonal jobs once the facility is fully operational.

According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, May was the ninth straight month of declining unemployment in Illinois.

“North Bay’s decision to locate its global distribution facility at MidAmerica Airport reinforces the Metro East’s role as a key transportation hub to the world,” Governor Quinn said. “Our goal is to make Illinois the inland port of the nation, and we remain committed to ensuring the Metro East continues to play a vital role in our economic growth.”

The company’s expansion to MidAmerica Airport is a key step in its plans to open the Asian trade lane that is integral to the company’s future growth. The fresh produce marketing and distribution company will serve as the new anchor tenant for the airport’s international trade route linking the Americas with Asia. The new $5.7 million, 36,448-square-foot facility can hold 1,317,600 pounds of product, which arrive from all over the world year round.

“With this new state-of-the-art facility, the international reach this site brings to the business model, and the opportunity to be in this great Midwest area, I know we found in MidAmerica Airport the best new home for our expansion,” noted Mark Girardin, president of North Bay Produce. “This new location will allow our quality product to maintain the freshest, quickest-to-market character at a great value, and we’re excited to get our operations here up and running.”

North Bay Produce, Inc. is an international, grower-owned, year-round, fresh produce marketing and distribution cooperative, headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan. The company’s 25 stockholders are located in the United States, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru. Its multi-year search for an additional central United States location with great logistics ingredients led North Bay to MidAmerica Airport.

Under Governor Quinn's leadership, DCEO has worked diligently to identify and aggressively court companies like North Bay Produce that are looking to expand their global reach. Governor Quinn has long supported MidAmerica’s efforts to build a large cargo hub at the airport, with MidAmerica’s director accompanying the Governor on his trade mission to China last year. Illinois ranks first in the Midwest for trade and as a destination for foreign investment. The Governor will continue to build on this success by playing a key role in marketing Illinois' world-class attributes abroad and personally meeting with companies to recruit them to Illinois.

For more information on why Illinois is the right place for any business, visit www.illinoisbiz.biz.